“Water, water, every where, And all the boards did shrink; Water, water, every where, Nor any drop to drink.” It has been 40 years since I first read these words in my high school English class and for some reason…
The 28th annual Construct Canada show, the country’s largest building, design and construction event, will run Wednesday, November 30 through Friday, December 2 in downtown Toronto at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, located at the base of the CN Tower.…
What is the right path to success in business? There are many answers to this question and for every answer opinions abound as to which one is right. Everyone would agree that finding success is one thing, keeping it is…
Recently Wilma Leung, my new favourite sage, and her progressive team from BC Housing-Homeowner Protection Office hosted 340 builders and affiliated service providers from British Columbia to participate in my class on thermal comfort for vulnerable populations. The program included…
The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute (HRAI) held its annual conference August 24 to 26 at the Hyatt Regency in Calgary, AB. Themed Making Every Connection Matter, the event opened with a Year in Review presentation. While reviewing material…
Professionals looking to boost water conservation often set their sights on the biggest — and often most expensive — water-using equipment in a facility. But while big-ticket items are an important part of overall conservation, there is a lot to…
In addition to 30,000 square feet of exhibits, CIPHEX West trade show will also feature a full conference program, new product showcase, the Canadian Hydronics Conference and the new Executive Summit. Held at the Vancouver Convention Centre, CIPHEX West is…
Having been involved with the solar water heating (SWH) industry since the early 1980s, I can tell you that it has faced many challenges. A look at its history in Canada reveals that SWH has been on a roller coaster…
During the last two years I have been reviewing submittals for proposed heating systems using pellet-fired boilers. They come from heating professionals ranging from installers to professional engineers. These submittals are required to participate in a state incentive program that…
Back in 2004 I penned an article called Radiant Mythology: 22 Myths about Radiant Heating. In the years since the first copyright of the article on www.healthyheating.com, that article has brought me the immense pleasure of watching tightly-wound individuals implode…
When I sat down to write this article, my intention was to take a look at some of the most common issues in residential hydronic installations and examine the remedies. In the interest of not being repetitive I did a…
How to heat and cool a very large, nearly all-glass building, while hiding the sources of warmth and cooling. As a significant public building, the Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport has large expanses of heated and cooled floors as…
Glycol is a mystery fluid to many in the HVAC industry, but it is an essential tool for designing many different types of HVAC systems. In Canada, where glycol is essential to protect HVAC systems from freezing, most contractors have…
Hydronics technology has long been known for unsurpassed heating comfort. It has also been used for cooling, primarily through chilled water distribution systems in commercial and institutional buildings. This well-established and highly successful track record is, in part, based on…
We come across so many different types of terminology in our industry that not everyone is fully aware of their meanings. The following is some of the most basic control logic terminology with a short explanation of what each means…
It is morning again. You get ready for the day and make your way out to the garage where your car is waiting for the morning’s commute to work. You start the engine, make sure your radio is tuned to…
Live Better Electrically was a popular theme promoted by electric utilities around North America in the late 1950s and early 1960s. A Gold Medallion Five Star home would have nothing but electric appliances: stove, washer and clothes dryer. To qualify…
Energy storage is all around us, from the phone in your pocket to the vehicle on the street. Some forms of energy storage are suitable for the built environment but it is important to understand that energy should be…
Virtually everyone understands how the earth is heated during the day with radiant energy, but few give much thought to radiative cooling, night or daytime. In part it is earth to sky radiation that causes outdoor water to freeze or…
With the prime HVAC sales season starting in earnest now, it is important to remember that air conditioning contractors must be committed to providing the best possible comfort along with the most efficient cooling systems. But here is the thing:…
Today the use of motorized control valves in large and small hydronic heating and cooling systems is very common. As a primer on their function and use, this article will explore available valve options, types of actuators and application examples…
Electrically powered heat pumps, in many varieties, are destined to play an increasingly important role in heating and cooling buildings around the world. They convert vast amounts of otherwise unusable low temperature heat into heat at sufficient temperatures to warm…
The current market drivers that have given CO2, which was a relatively forgotten refrigerant for decades, a second life were discussed in HPAC March 2016. As a review, those drivers are: environmental properties (GWP and ODP); energy efficiency; safety (flammability…
Fierce competition in the auto industry is always great news for buyers. Segments that were previously modernized infrequently, such as service vehicles, are now updated far more often in response to customer needs. Most of the 2016 vehicles underwent minor…
At one time, selecting a water heater was a fairly simple process. There were not a lot of options to choose from; you got a tank type water heater, which was either gas or oil fired, or electric. The water…
Should our industry be promising quality indoor air?
It is time to get serious about water quality in every hydronic system.
Make your best choice-understand the pros and cons of common designs.
Are you up to speed on grease management?
Beyond the jargon; there is an opportunity for mechanical professionals who embrace IoT.
